Anthony Arillotta also was charged in the case but turned government witness and is slated to take the stand at trial.
NEW YORK - Jury selection continues this morning in federal court in Manhattan for trial in the 2003 Adolfo "Big Al" Bruno murder-for-hire case.
A herd of prospective jurors were vetted on Monday, culling the crowd down to 39 candidates who will return to the courthouse today to answer more questions about their personal lives. Lawyers in the case believe they will be able to impanel a jury of 18, including six alternates, before the end of the day and possibly launch into opening statements later this afternoon.
Standing trial are reputed organized crime enforcers Fotios "Freddy" Geas, 44, of West Springfield; his brother Ty Geas, 39, of Westfield; and alleged onetime New York Genovese crime boss, Arthur "Artie" Nigro, 66, of the Bronx, NY.
The Geases and others are accused of plotting Bruno's murder, as well as the 2003 slaying of low-level mob associate Gary D. Westerman, the attempted murder of a New York union official the same year and carrying out a myriad of strong-arm schemes against Western Massachusetts businessmen. Law enforcement officials say Nigro was pulling the strings as the former leader of the most dangerous of New York City's five crime families.
Bruno was gunned down on Nov. 23, 2003, on the eve of his 58th birthday. Witnesses are expected to testify that Bruno fell out of favor with Nigro and was killed to make way for new Mafia leadership in Western Massachusetts. His reputed successor, Anthony J. Arillotta, 42, also was charged in the case but turned government witness and is slated to take the witness stand at trial.